NSAC Alumnus Finds Success with Alternative Energy

While attending NSAC, Stephen Tweedie knew he wanted to go into engineering. However, he didn’t know he would become a leader in his field.

A member of the class of ’77, Stephen was drawn to NSAC because of the personalized education. “It’s important to know people in this business, in every business really. I felt the size of NSAC was a great help for this. I wasn’t just a number like the bigger universities.”

Coming from a family with two older brothers who were working in the engineering field, Stephen decided early on what career path he wanted to take. He didn’t decide he also wanted to be an entrepreneur until completing summer work terms and a suggestion from a co-worker. Now Stephen runs not one, but two successful companies. The achievements of the first, a consulting engineering business, lead to the development and specialization of the second.

Stephen specializes in designing and commissioning geothermal (or geo-exchange) energy systems and in-situ thermal conductivity testing. Although most people think of geothermal energy coming from hot springs in places like Iceland, Stephen explains that’s not always the case. “In Iceland, heat from hot springs is used directly. In the Maritimes, we are using lower grade heat from the earth. It’s really another form of solar energy. The sun heats the ground and we put a system into the ground that draws out the heat.”

While a geo-exchange heating system is initially more expensive, the payoff is quick. “Within six to nine years the system pays for itself. More and more people locally and around the world are seeing the value and moving toward geo-exchange heating systems. I’m getting more requests all the time to retrofit systems for existing buildings and design systems for brand new buildings.”

The success of both Stephen and geo-exchange energy is proven when you look at the list of upcoming geo-exchange projects he has. “We’re working on a new apartment building in Truro, two new nursing homes in the Halifax area, renovation of an office building in Halifax, a new border crossing facility in St. Stephen, a new community college building in St. Andrews, three new nursing homes in New Brunswick and even our own office building in Riverview.”

Stephen is currently a certified systems designer through the Canadian Geo-exchange Coalition and was one of the first mechanical building systems designers in Atlantic Canada to become an accredited energy consultant through the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. “I’m proud of the LEED accreditation because it shows our commitment to sustainable design and being environmentally conscious,” says Stephen. “We always strive to make our designs energy efficient. Our designs are typically 30 – 60 per cent more efficient than required by the Model National Energy Code.” Furthering his credentials, Stephen was awarded an American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) award in 1999. He also received accreditation as a Certified Building Commissioning Professional in 2006.

While Stephen was the first one in his family to come to the university, he was not the last. After working part time for a year at his father’s company, Christian Tweedie is now studying engineering at NSAC. “At first he didn’t want anything to do with the company, but after studying as an engineering technician and then working here for a year, he realized that he enjoys engineering. He chose NSAC for the same reasons I did. He understands the value of the small classes and the connections he can make.”

From one job developing and installing a geo-exchange energy system at the Truro Women’s Prison, Stephen has developed two successful businesses, has been instrumental in expanding the field of geo-exchange energy in the Maritimes and has provided a legacy for his son. With a basis of strong skills learned at NSAC, Stephen has made a positive and lasting global impact.